(Alex's POV)
I dreamt of the Cullens. I was living with them, going about my business, but always returning to their homestead. It was a good dream, one of the best I'd had. I felt accepted and loved by the Cullens. Alice, Jasper, Emmett, Edward, and even Rosalie saw and treated me like a little sister. Esme was warm and motherly, and Carlisle, although busy between working shifts at the hospital and working in his study, would engage in light conversation. On the outside he looks like a very stoic, serious person, but on the inside, he's a man with centuries of knowledge, experience, and also trauma. Carlisle knows this world isn't kind, and that there isn't much he can do but heal people the best he can.
I begin to stir myself when I notice my head resting on a pillow and a comforter covering most of my body. I feel safe and comfortable.
I open my eyes, and I don't recognize where it is I am. It smells like the Cullen's home, but this isn't Carlisle's office. I'm laying in a bedroom.
"You've been asleep for two days," Carlisle says right as I turn my right to my right to look around.
"Wow," I say as I take a big, heavy high.
"How are you feeling?" he asks.
"Well rested, that's for sure. I also kind of need to use the bathroom pretty bad," I answer.
"Can I help you get up?" he asks.
"Yes please, that would be great," I reply.
Carlisle takes me by my hands and pulls me up. I shift towards the end of the bed and stand up. I feel myself get orthostatic right away. "I see stars," I observe. Carlisle stabilizes me and drags the IV line with me. I can walk, but my center of balance feels off. The bathroom is just ten feet away. I can totally do this.
And then I notice I'm wearing nothing but underwear, which I guess is now more than a few days old, and a super loose top, probably from someone in the house, that covers my bandaged chest.
Carlisle opens the bathroom door and leads me inside while still partially holding me up. My eyesight is getting better as my body adjusts to being active. I hold onto the wall for support. Carlisle brings the IV inside the bathroom with me.
"You got it from here?" he asks.
"Yes, thank you," I nod.
He closes the door gently after telling me that he'll be right outside. That doesn't feel very comforting considering I know that the vampire super-hearing will let him hear me go to the bathroom. Nonetheless, it feels awesome to go pee after a few days. I'm a little surprised I didn't have an accident in bed as my bladder feels very full.
I can see my forehead and top of my head in the mirror in front of me. My hair is messy and feels greasy to the touch. When I'm done, I stand up with the help of the wall and grab the edge of the sink. I almost fall over from shock when I see myself, but I stay steady.
I'm bruised heavily all over my arms and back. I lift my shirt to see the bandage that is holding my broken ribs in place. It looks a large medical bandage that has been wrapped around me like a bra.
When I'm satisfied that I've looked myself over, I turn on the faucet and wash my hands. Right after I have rinsed the soap off, I splash water on my face, and look at myself in the mirror. Alex, you're a demi-spirit. Do you remember that?
"Alex, are you ok?" Esme asks.
I quickly wipe my face and hands, almost in a panic. "Yea, I'm fine. Come in," I answer. My heart rate is shot up from surprise.
Esme turns the door handle and walks in.
"You look sad," I notice.
"It's nothing, you just look all beaten up," she says.
"Yeah, it looks bad, but I can see the bruises starting to fade already," I reply optimistically.
"Can I help you walk back? I'll grab your IV," she says.
"Thank you, Esme," I answer. I cling onto her elbow for extra support. I can definitely stand up and walk, but my restricted breathing makes me lightheaded and a little off-balance. I felt like this a lot when I was in the depth of my eating disorder. I'd tell myself to put one foot in front of the other, and to not trust what I see, because the reality is that if I keep walking I won't fall down.
When we come out, I see Carlisle, Jasper, and Alice waiting for me. I smile slightly when I see them. Esme has me sit back down on the bed. Everyone is looking at me weirdly.
"So, what happened?" I ask curiously, but also with the intention to break the silence.
"A lot, actually," Alice answers.
I raise my eyebrows.
"The Volturi came to visit, Carlisle met with the Ute chief about you, and you also had a seizure," Jasper adds.
I make a shocked expression. "Alright. Everyone is ok, right? All vampires in the house are alright?" I ask.
"Yes, we are all ok. You, on the other hand, is still being determined," Carlisle answers.
"I feel weak and sore, but other than that, I'm good too," I say.
"I narrowed down that your seizure occurred for neurological reasons. Any idea of why you would have a tonic-clonic seizure?" he asks.
I think for a millisecond. "Uh, yea. Withdrawal from lamotrigine," I answer.
"Oh, I forgot to ask you about any medications you take. Any others?" he asks.
"Effexor and Paxil," I answer.
"Alright. Obviously you already knew that lamotrigine is an anti-convulsive," he says.
I nod. "I probably shouldn't go cold-turkey off the Effexor either," I explain.
"Effexor is hard to come off of, and I don't have it on hand. Any of them. I've been giving you Lorazepam," he says.
"All my medication is at my house in town," I answer.
"We can grab it, along with anything else you need for the next few days," Alice pipes in.
"My dog is really the only one I care about," I say, slightly seriously, and slightly joking.
"We can keep her here while you're recovering," Esme says.
"She's not for feeding," I joke.
"No, we all hunted yesterday. Alaska will be safe," Jasper answers, chuckling.
"Emmett," I mutter. He's the only one I told about Alaska.
They all nod.
"Alex, how's your ribcage? During your seizure one of your ribs dislocated and I had to reset it. Do you remember that?" Carlisle asks.
"I don't remember that. It feels really sore, that's all I can describe. I keep seeing stars when I walk," I answer.
"You're hypotensive from being solely on saline solution for four days. You need to eat," he explains. "I was going to wake you up today anyways to make you eat before I put in a feeding tube," he adds.
"Cool, because I'm up for eating. And water," I answer with a friendly smile.
"What could I make you, sweetie?" Esme asks.
"Toast would be great," I answer. I have no idea what I want. I'm just hungry, and really thirsty.
"Would you like me to bring me to bring it up here?" she asks.
"I actually wouldn't mind taking a little walk downstairs," I answer, and gesture to Carlisle, "if that's alright?"
"Alex, as long as you're not pushing your own limits, you have my permission. You're very in tune with your body and what your capabilities are," Carlisle says.
I give a thumbs up.
"I'll just unhook you from the IV, alright? I'll keep the tube in the case I need to put you back on it, but you won't have to carry the saline bag around," he says. I nod, and he stops the IV line and detaches the tube from inside of my arm with another holding everything together. Carlisle tapes the closed tube to the inside of my arm.
Alice steps in. "I'll help you get dressed. Guys, scoot," she says.
I can only smile. Her personality is a ray of sunshine. Jasper, Carlisle, and Esme walk out of the room.
"Can I give you a hug?" she asks.
"Yes, but very gently," I respond.
She wraps her petite body around me and gently squeezes. I don't mind the cold at all.
"Alice, what happened with the Volturi?" I ask.
"We'll discuss it downstairs, alright?" she asks.
I nod.
"I grabbed a pair of my sweatpants for you. I'm quite short so they will be too, but I take it you'll be alright until Jasper and I go to get some things for you from town," she says.
"Thank you, Alice. You didn't have to. You're all...so...kind," I answer.
"We're happy to know we're not the only super-humans around," she says. She starts to help me put on a pair of light grey sweatpants.
"Ready to go downstairs?" she asks.
I nod.
I smell toasted bread as soon as Alice opens the door. I walk slowly, holding onto Alice for counterbalance. I don't feel as lightheaded than when I first woke up. I actually feel decently strong.
Esme has made me a few pieces of bread, and spread butter on two. She smiles when she sees Alice and I. The rest of the family, including Rosalie and Edward, the black sheep of the family (or at least that's how I see them) are hanging around the open kitchen that faces the living room and the stairs.
"So, are you gonna tell me about the Volturi?" I ask, again. I just really despise silences and attention towards myself.
"Eat first," Esme replies in a very stern but motherly tone. She hands me a plate and water at the counter where I had ice cream a few days ago.
I start on the buttered toast. "Shit, I forgot to brush my teeth," I blurt out mid-chew.
"I'll give you a toothbrush after you eat," Esme answers.
When I finish my first piece of this hardy multi-grain bread, I look around again, making sure I make eye contact with everyone in the room.
"Alright. I saw the Volturi coming," Alice starts. "We went over. Rose and Emmett stayed behind for you," she continues.
"The Volturi want you in their coven because of your existing powers. They found out about you shortly after you moved to Laramie. Your scent is just that identifying," Carlisle says.
"And I'm still here," I observe.
"We made it clear to them that you are not property or a bargaining piece. It is your choice what you want to do," Esme answers.
"What are my options?" I ask.
Carlisle steps towards me. "It's unfortunately limited. If we don't change you, they will get to you first," he answers.
"Well fuck. How soon do I need to make my decision?" I ask.
"We're not sure, Alex. The danger is that they will abduct you and take you to Voltera to be changed there," Carlisle answers.
"What is it about the Volturi that makes them so different from this coven?" I ask.
"Did you notice their eye color?" he asks.
"Yes, their eyes were deep red. Almost black," I answer.
"They feed on humans, Alex. They abduct the homeless, prostitutes, people who won't be missed. And other times they'll hunt whoever smells good. When vampires are extremely hungry, our irises turn black," he replies.
"I understand. I didn't plan on becoming a vampire to be honest. Being human has its risks and challenges, but so is being immortal," I say.
"It's not an easy decision, Alex. You're welcome to take your time deciding," Esme answers.
"For me its not a decision of joining your coven or the Volturi's. Its whether I can fight to have a choice between staying human and being changed," I say.
"There's one avenue we still have," Carlisle says.
"The natives?" Jasper asks.
Carlisle nods. "Alex, would you come with me to meet the chief?" he asks me.
"Absolutely," I answer. "I feel like this puts you in just as difficult of a situation as it does me," I say.
"Alex, I need to tell you something," Alice steps in.
I look at her.
"I can't see your future, but I can see ours. You didn't stumble on the homestead by accident. I knew we'd have a new member of the family. We all knew," she says.
"Oof, that's news," I reply.
"You're immune to our mind powers. When you came, we didn't know it was you. I'm not a psychic like in the movies where I can see clear pictures and timelines. Also, futures change depending on your actions," she explains.
"So I turn into a vampire. Then what?" I ask.
"You can live with us. I already see you as my sister," Alice answers.
"Do you just go to university over and over again or are you able to have a career? I'm so tired of academia and this is my first graduate degree. I have three undergrad degrees," I ask.
"The younger we start out, the longer we can stay. We don't age, Alex," Edward answers.
"Its not possible to have a career that young, huh? Even with forged documents?" I ask.
"We have a lawyer who makes us documents that give us artificial birthdates and social security numbers so we can participate in society," Carlisle answers.
"Why do you and Esme have lifelong careers but your children, with the exception of Emmett, don't?" I ask.
"It's their decision. I'm a father for all intensive purposes, but I'm not their parent," he answers.
I nod.
"Alright. Well, I'll be working with animals until I fall dead, or get torn apart, dead," I reply.
"You're going to have a hard time with that for a while, Alex," Jasper says.
"After that newborn stage passes, of course. Dogs are my life," I answer.
"We're fully supportive of you making a life for yourself with animals. You're clearly good at it," Esme says.
"Thanks, I think I'm good at it too," I answer.
"So you'll join the coven?" Emmett asks.
"If it comes down to that, then yes," I answer.
"Cool, I won't want to kill you every time I'm near," Jasper celebrates in a very sarcastic way.
"Why me? Why would you take me with you?" I ask.
"It's just who you are," Esme answers.